What if you had a party but forgot to send invitations? Or you had a store and sold shoes but you had no street address and no one could find you?
Sadly, that’s what most are doing if they have a website but do little to no promotion of the website address. They’re having a party but they forgot to invite anyone to attend! They’re paying for a website that really doesn’t provide an improvement to their business.

What if you had a party but forgot to send invitations? Or you had a store and sold shoes but you had no street address and no one could find you?

Sadly, that’s what most are doing if they have a website but do little to no promotion of the website address. They’re having a party but they forgot to invite anyone to attend! They’re paying for a website that really doesn’t provide an improvement to their business.

A website is only as good as the promotion that supports it. You can have the very best website but if no one visits it then you’re wasting your money and time.

Today, with a properly designed website, real estate professionals must utilize part of their marketing effort to lead prospects to their website. In fact, that should be one of your main objectives in all your marketing and advertising. Get them to your storefront (website) to look in the windows at what you offer – invite them to the party – if they see what they like they may give you a call!

Remember to promote your website everywhere as your website gives a prospect a way to learn about you, your business and your listings any time of day, any day of the week!

Certainly make your web address a central part of any offline advertising you do, as your website is an extension of all your advertising. Put the address in your e-mail signature, on your letterhead and business cards, marketing sheets, yard signs and on your car – everywhere. It’s more important than your street address!Also, include online advertising in your marketing mix. Consider search engine advertising and optimization. And monitor your results with strong web analytics. We can assist you in both these areas. Give us a call.

In future newsletters and on our blog we’ll provide more tips on how you can enhance your website and properly promote for maximum results.

I met with a successful Broker recently who was considering eliminating her print advertising because she was getting leads from her websites – both her personal site and her placement on Real Estate Weekly’s site.

As a small business owner I can understand her feelings because the cost of print advertising can be high compared to the ongoing cost of a website. The mistake in this, I believe, is equating a website with advertising. As important as a website is for your business (it’s one of the 7 “marketing musts”) it is not advertising.

Of course, there are many ways to advertise on the internet but your business website is simply an online storefront that allows interested clients to learn more about what you offer – from your services, to your experience, to your listing inventory, to your sales strategy to the market area you serve.

But, advertising in the most targeted product available, whether online or offline, will guide potential clients to your website(s) where they can explore more. Many people begin their home search online so it’s more important than ever to lead them, through your advertising and other marketing, to your website, not your competitors. Do you get visitors to your website? Where do they come from and how do they find you?